John Cox

Electoral confusion in California's top-two primary. Image via iStock

Elections

In California primaries, sometimes the winning strategy is to help a foe

These days, campaigning doesn't just mean attacking all challengers. A sly boost for a favorite opponent can also prove useful.

By

Ben Christopher

• March 11, 2020

Close up of a young woman's hand typing text message on her smartphone. African young woman is typing on touch screen mobile phone.

Politics

The year in California politics, as told through Twitter: #2018

Californians suffered from déjà vu in 2018. Here's a recap of some of the biggest stories in state politics, as told through the medium that once again dominated it.

By

Matt Levin

• December 27, 2018

California Republicans gathered in San Diego for an election night celebration during which there was precious little to celebrate. Photo by Ben Christopher

Elections

“A Failing Franchise:” Is the California GOP doomed?

Sporting starred and striped jackets and “Make America Great Again” hats, the California Republicans who gathered on election night in the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego were in a remarkably chipper mood. They cheered when the results came in from Florida, showing the GOP candidate won the narrow race for governor. They lustily […]

By

Ben Christopher

• November 7, 2018

Sen. Dianne Feinstein addresses supporters on election night after California voters awarded her a fifth term.

Elections

Gavin Newsom is elected governor, Feinstein wins 5th term

Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom was expected to cruise to victory on Tuesday as governor over Republican John Cox as polls closed in California, while U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein appeared likely to win a fifth term, despite a feisty challenge by Democratic state Sen. Kevin de León.

By

Dan Morain

• November 6, 2018

Gubernatorial candidates Republican John Cox and Democrat Gavin Newsom.

Politics

The California Dream takes center stage in governor’s race

The state’s affordability crisis prompts vows from gubernatorial candidates Gavin Newsom and John Cox to revive the California Dream.

By

Amita Sharma, KPBS

• October 29, 2018

Commentary

New poll erases most uncertainty about Nov. 6 election

Lt. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Dianne Feinstein look like winners in a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, while the ballot's two highest-profile measures look like losers.

By

Dan Walters

• October 25, 2018

Elections

New poll: Rent control prop is tanking, Dems are surging, and other unexpected, and totally expected, results

A new California midterm poll shows public opinion holding steady or coming in pretty much as you'd expect—but dig deeper into every expected result and you'll find something unexpected.

By

Ben Christopher

• October 24, 2018

Gavin Newsom smiles at a campaign stop at Stakely's Barber Salon in Los Angeles, as he campaigns for governor. Photo by Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

Politics

Behind the smile: Why Gavin Newsom is striving for his next “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”

Critics call Gavin Newsom, the Democratic frontrunner to be California's next governor, starry-eyed and worse. But nobody could ever accuse him of not thinking big—or as he terms it, thinking "drastically."

By

Ben Christopher

• October 23, 2018

Elections

Poizner’s independent run has a red tint

Insurance commissioner candidate Steve Poizner is shunning partisanship in his bid to become the first no-party-preference candidate to win statewide office in California. But he is raising much of his campaign money from donors who gave to him when he ran for governor as a Republican.

By

Dan Morain

• October 16, 2018

Newsletters

Those DMV snafus, lead paint decision and cancer rates

Those DMV voter registration snafus, a Supreme Court win for California cities, lung cancer rates plummet, how Cox and Newsom would differ from Jerry Brown, UC outsourcing, PG&E and the CALmatters voter guide.

By

Dan Morain

• October 16, 2018